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JZ
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Posts: 12182
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Tell me about shocks
Thinking about getting a Chevy 2500. Will pull dirt bikes around in the bed and on a carrier. Will sometimes pull a very large boat.
Will use it off road 10% of the time.
What after market shocks, suspension should I consider. How much does it run?
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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There are many good shocks out there. I prefer the Bilstein 5100 series. A bit more expensive than most. On line they go for about $75 each.
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JZ
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
There are many good shocks out there. I prefer the Bilstein 5100 series. A bit more expensive than most. On line they go for about $75 each.
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Sorry for the confusion, not just talking about shocks. But raising it up a bit and an upgraded suspension.
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Paulclark
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For my trucks and race cars I use: www.downsouthmotorsports.com/
Their web site will give you an idea about the cost and what is available for your Chevy....
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Bob and Susan
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if you are going to pull a very large boat i hope it's a diesel
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Spearo
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I also suggest a diesel if you're going to do the towing.
A stock diesel with the Bilstein 5100's will be fine. You can add progressive leaf springs in the back if need be.
I run a Dodge 2500 diesel with a slide in camper and tow a boat, probably 4000 pounds total, with no problem. I averaged 18 mpg last year to Baja and
back though my truck is a 2005 with in-line 6 cummins, best mileage diesel out there.
Were it not for the abdomen, man would easily reckon himself a god.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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DavidE
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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I've seen heavy duty shocks and springs transfer enough energy to the frame to crack it. Riveted shock mounts (rear) shear all the rivets. I sure
would talk to and purchase a suspension kit from someone who knows what the hell they're talking about. A lot of kits are made to cruise shopping
centers IMHO.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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TMW
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It all depends on how much you want to spend. You can raise the truck 2 inches with new shocks for under $500. If you go more than that the price goes
up. I did a leveling kit on my 04 GMC Z71 for $2100. It lifted it 2.5 inches. Usually anything over 3 inches requires replacing the upper control
arms. The shocks for a lifted vehicle need to match the lift.
If you are really serious check with these guys.
http://www.dixonbrosracing.com/content/blogcategory/12/5/
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David K
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Springs and shocks will be a start... are you sure about getting a Chevy?
Maybe a Ford Raptor will be already be set up for what you want to do, or a Tundra Off Road edition, or Dodge Power Wagon? Perhaps visit an off road
fabrication shop such as Off Road Warehouse or 4 Wheel Parts for some ideas and costs?
Watch out for opinions! 
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JZ
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On a scale of 1 to 10, how much better can you make the ride over wash boards with a setup costing $3-4K or under.
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comitan
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Just get a rear sway bar and air bags. Works for me and 3400# camper.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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captkw
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comaten
I agree with the airbags....that way you have more adjustment beside tire pressure..Note:some shocks are also adjustable.......Its also easy to run
Too much spring...and small tip: don't join the two air lines for air bags together...keep them separate...K&T
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comitan
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Costs more but control from the cab.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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liknbaja127
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I agree with david k, just buy a Ford Raptor with camper shell, and off you go! Great truck. little pricey.
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willardguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by liknbaja127
I agree with david k, just buy a Ford Raptor with camper shell, and off you go! Great truck. little pricey. |
buy a raptor for towing? are you high on drugs?????
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Bajaahh
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Registered: 7-6-2011
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Get some Riderite airbags($300) in the rear, easy to install(sometimes no drilling required) and you can adjust them as needed. Air em up if you have
a heavy payload, or if your towing a very large boat. It will level out your ride and take a lot of the weight off your suspension. When you dont need
em you can air them back down and return to your stock suspension. Ive had mine for 3 years with a 1000# camper, no problems at all.
Stronger leaf springs are nice 10% of the time(when you tow/heavy payload) but then you will have a really stiff ride the other 90% of the time...so
I've heard.
Bilstein 5100's are good shocks, they can be adjusted and they have a lifetime warranty( I had mine replaced without question). I ended up finally
replacing them with Fox shocks with reservoirs. They are pricey but you get what you pay for and they can be rebuilt/re-valved.
Spend a little more now and avoid spending a lot more later...
Also, try some other forums, I got lots of good advice from Wanderthewest.com, under the "4wheel campers" link. A lot of guys that have different
trucks with some heavy payloads.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65107
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaahh
Get some Riderite airbags($300) in the rear, easy to install(sometimes no drilling required) and you can adjust them as needed. Air em up if you have
a heavy payload, or if your towing a very large boat. It will level out your ride and take a lot of the weight off your suspension. When you dont need
em you can air them back down and return to your stock suspension. Ive had mine for 3 years with a 1000# camper, no problems at all.
Stronger leaf springs are nice 10% of the time(when you tow/heavy payload) but then you will have a really stiff ride the other 90% of the time...so
I've heard.
Bilstein 5100's are good shocks, they can be adjusted and they have a lifetime warranty( I had mine replaced without question). I ended up finally
replacing them with Fox shocks with reservoirs. They are pricey but you get what you pay for and they can be rebuilt/re-valved.
Spend a little more now and avoid spending a lot more later...
Also, try some other forums, I got lots of good advice from Wanderthewest.com, under the "4wheel campers" link. A lot of guys that have different
trucks with some heavy payloads. |
Right!
Here is my 2005 Tacoma with Ride Rite air bags and Bilstein 5100 shocks... Installed by Off Road Warehouse in Escondido... Lots of Baja trips with no
problems on this set up (installed because the '05 Tacoma springs were too soft and the truck bottomed with a load added. My 2010 has better springs
so not needed.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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David
Huuhhh !! They should have used Grade 8 Bolt with a locking nut (2) and then trimed the end...I hope those are not carriage bolts..... Yes,, I'm Picky
!! air bags are awesome unit!! K&T PS..and the bottom bar is upside down !!! notice how its slightly bent? if was turned over the nuts will be
closer to the fulcum or stress point...............Big Sign out front dosnt mean great mechanics.......sorry ,,what ai'm writing is true...BTW,,,Nice
Truck !!! K&T PS..if you look how Toyota mounted the axle to the springs,,you will see the proper/correct way it should be done..I have found
that a good 90o percent of mech's don't know the bizz....Yikes !!
[Edited on 1-26-2013 by captkw]
[Edited on 1-26-2013 by captkw]
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
Just get a rear sway bar and air bags. Works for me and 3400# camper. |
I have the airbags, they worked for
about a year, now they don't hold air.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JZ
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much better can you make the ride over wash boards with a setup costing $3-4K or under. |
The best way to get a more supple ride on washboard roads is to replace your springs with a more progressive spring pack. A lift kit
and shocks will do very little for your ride comfort, you do not want stiff for washboard roads. I would call Deaver and see what they recommend for
what you are trying to accomplish.
http://www.deaverspring.com/products/leafsgm.html
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